Methods of Consumption

With adult use legalization in Colorado, innovation took place within the industry as people began applying creativity, science, and technology to cannabis. The team here at Organix is constantly working to curate and bring you the best selection of cannabis products across all forms and ingestion methods.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON FORMS OF CANNABIS:

Flower

When you think of cannabis that’s ready to smoke, you’re most likely imagining the dried and cured flowers, or buds, of the female plant. The flowers have the highest concentration of trichomes, glandular cells on the surface of the plant that produce cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds. When trichomes are abundant and fully developed they look like crystals and can give the bud a frosty appearance.

Hash

Classic hash is made by knocking the trichomes off the surface of the plant and collecting them. This is done by agitating the plant and sifting out the larger pieces of plant material. When separated from the bud, the trichomes look like pollen, and this powdery substance is often called kief. The kief is then pressed, and sometimes heated, into hash.

Extracts

Extracts are created by running a solvent through dried cannabis material. The solvent dissolves away the cell wall of the trichomes, and what is left is a mix of solvent, cannabinoids, and other beneficial compounds. The solvents are then purged out of the mixture leaving only the desired cannabis compounds in a very concentrated form. Different methods yield different consistencies and give us all the extracts we love, like shatter, oil, budder, and wax.

Distillates

Distillation is the process of purifying a liquid by heating it to evaporation, and then cooling it down again in a purer form. It works because some of the impurities are left in the last chamber. Only with recent advances in technology have extraction experts been able to apply this process to cannabis, and distill the extracts without destroying the compounds. The results are ultra-concentrated products that can be over 90% THC.

Infusion

Infusions are created by decarboxylating plant material and then heating it as it is submerged in an oil or fatty substance, like butter. Cannabinoids are lipophilic, so as they are heated and released from the plant’s cell wall the molecules are absorbed into the surrounding oil or fat. The leftover plant material is then strained out and the lipids are infused with cannabinoid and ready to be used as cooking oil or butter in any recipe.

Ingestion methods:

Edibles

Edibles are a discrete and tasty way to consume cannabis. They are made by incorporating an infusion or activated extract into a normal recipe. On average edibles take 60 minutes to take effect, but can kick in anywhere between 30-120 minutes. The onset time varies depending on how fast an individual’s metabolism is, or if they have had anything to eat that day. Be sure to wait until your body has had the chance to absorb the cannabinoid before increasing your dose of edibles.

Inhalants

Vaping

Flower, hash, concentrates, and distillates can all be vaporized. Vaporization is the process of heating one of these products to about 350 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit so they turn into vapor without combusting. The vapor is then inhaled and absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs. The onset of vaping is immediate and this method allows the consumer to enjoy the full flavor profile of the cannabis product.

Smoking

When a direct flame or extreme heat is applied to dried cannabis flower, or cannabis extracts the result is combustion and smoke. Inhaling cannabis smoke is still the most common way of consuming cannabis. The onset is immediate and smoking maintains a full flavor profile, but it is the least discrete method of ingestion.

Tinctures

Tinctures are liquids that can be taken sublingually. They are usually infusions with an alcohol or glycerin base that can be dropped under the tongue for quick onset and relief. Tinctures usually come with a small pipette for administering the drops, so doses are easy to titrate to optimum levels and that dose is easy to repeat.

Topicals

Topicals include lotions, balms, salves, and oils that are infused with active cannabinoids. These products are applied directly to the skin, which absorbs most if not all the compounds before they reach the bloodstream. Because of this, topicals have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving results in very localized areas and no psychoactive effects. This combination makes topicals a great option for treating sore joints or aching muscles throughout the day.

Transdermals

Transdermal products are applied to the surface of the skin. In contrast to topicals, transdermals penetrate through both the epidermis and dermal layers and the compounds are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Transdermal effects often set in within 10 minutes and last for an average of 4 hours. These products are very discreet, and provide a full body effect as opposed to the very localized effects of topicals.

What is in Cannabis?

There are over 480 compounds found in the cannabis plant. Some of them, such as cannabinoids are unique to cannabis. Other chemicals, such terpenes, are produced in many plants. There are over 60 cannabinoids and 140 different terpenes found in cannabis.

The cannabinoids that appear in the highest concentrations are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC). While in the same class, there are key differences in the compounds and the effects they have when consumed.

THC

THC is the most abundant cannabinoid in most cannabis plants. It is found mostly in its acid form, THCA, but once decarboxylated it is the main psychotropic in cannabis, responsible for the high. THC also has powerful medicinal effects: pain killing, anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.

CBD

Many breeders have been selecting for genetics that are higher in CBD than THC. These high CBD strains minimize the psychoactive effects of THC, while providing many medicinal benefits that CBD has to offer. These include: anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, pain killing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic.

Terpenes

Terpenes are found throughout nature and are responsible for a lot of plants' nice smells. There are about 140 terpenes in cannabis and these compounds are responsible for the smell and taste of the cannabis. There is a lot of variation in the concentrations between strains, but these are some of the most common terpenes:

Myrcene, found in hops

Limonene, found in citrus

Caryophyllene, found in cloves

Pinene, found in pine trees

Humulene, found in sage and ginseng

Entourage effect

The entourage effect is the theory that each strain provides a unique effect due to the ratios of all cannabinoids and terpenes, rather than soley THC levels. These chemicals combined are what give strains a particular effect.

Two different strains may have the same exact levels of THC and CBD, and provide totally different effects. This is likely due to the unique ratio of terpenes and trace cannabinoids.

Types of Cannabis

There are four classes of cannabis that have different physical characteristics, and often provide similar mental effects to other strains in their class. The classes are:

Sativa

Sativas are very tall plants with long stalks and leaves, and they are often a lighter green in color than their indica counterparts. Sativas are also associated with a more uplifting and active mental state, and are often recommended for daytime use.

Indica

Indica plants are smaller and stockier, presenting more as a bush than a tree. It is more common for indica plants to present darker shades of green and purple in their phenotypes. Indica cannabis is also associated with deep physical and sedative effects. It is commonly described as couch-locking, and recommended for night time use.

Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is the least-known class of cannabis. It is a small fibrous plant with low cannabinoid concentrations. It was discovered in Siberia and because it developed in an area where the days stay very long, its flowering process is different from the other classes of cannabis. Ruderalis’ flowering stage is triggered when the plant gets to a certain maturity, rather than due to a change in the light cycle like the other classes. Breeders used this in breeding some of the fourth class of cannabis, hybrids.

Hybrid

Hybrids are the last class of cannabis, and were bred by humans. Breeders have taken other classes and crossed them to get myriads of new strains with the traits that the breeders want to bring out. For example, ruderalis plants were bred with sativas and indicas to create auto-flowering cannabis that is high in cannabinoids. Breeders continue to select phenotypes with the best cannabinoid content, flavor, yield, color, pest resistance and more.

Tolerance

Effects Vary From One Person To The Next

Whether you are new to cannabis or an experienced user, knowing your tolerance is essential. Speak with our trained professionals to determine the appropriate products and dosage for your personal cannabis experience.

New to Cannabis

1 – 5mg

Experienced User

5-10mg

Cannabis Connoisseur

10-15mg

Timing: Effects may last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the type and amount of cannabis consumed.

Edibles: Onset varies from person to person and may take 30 minutes to 2 hours or longer. Start with a low-dose or single serving product until you know how edibles will affect you.

Be Responsible:

Consume in a private setting.

Refrain from driving vehicles, operating equipment, or engaging in any activity that may endanger yourself or others.

Do not mix cannabis use with alcohol or other controlled substances.

Keep away from children, pets, and anyone under 21.

State Guidelines and Limits

While recreational cannabis is legal in the State of Colorado, be mindful of your neighbors and know the laws governing consumption.

Things to Know

You Must be 21 or Older: You are required to present a valid ID to purchase retail cannabis.

Keep it Private: Consuming cannabis in any form is not allowed in public spaces.

Keep it in Colorado: Cannabis is still illegal on a federal level. If you are interested in purchasing cannabis from a licensed dispensary, you must consume it within the State of Colorado.

Keep it Sealed: Remember to keep cannabis products sealed and unused when in the car. It is illegal to open and use any cannabis products inside a vehicle, including the passenger.

Purchase Limits: Colorado residents and non-residents are limited to purchasing